Musician and Educator

Tag Archives: Students

As we settle into fall, and lessons have begun, this is a good time to review the tools that music students need for home practice. Many teachers (myself included) will place bulk orders for their students, so parents can simply buy directly from teachers. This can allow teachers to pass on bulk discounts to families, and ensure that everyone has the correct supplies. Nonetheless, it can be helpful to have an overview and explanation of what your student needs.

1. An instrument

This one is obvious, but it’s worth mentioning that there are a few different ways to acquire one. Many beginning students opt to rent an instrument for the first couple of years, or if they’re lucky, their school will have an instrument for them to borrow or rent. While renting is a convenient and low-commitment solution, it can become quite expensive over time. Once students have played for a couple of years, then I encourage families to consider purchasing an instrument. Beware the ISOs (Instrument-Shaped-Objects) that are often found on eBay, Craigslist, etc. – please consult your private teacher before taking the plunge! Most of us are more than happy to offer advice, try out instruments, etc. Also, before buying an instrument, it’s worth asking relatives and friends if they have anything kicking around in storage. Again, check with your teacher before going ahead with it, but you might be pleasantly surprised by what you find.

2. An appropriate chair

Students of all ages and instruments benefit from a chair that facilitates good posture, while being relatively comfortable. This is particularly important for horn, since the bell may need to rest on the chair (for small beginning students), or the leg. The ideal chair allows the student to sit with their feet touching the ground, with their knees and hips level (or hips slightly higher than knees) – definitely nothing with wheels, or arms. Piano benches are great if you already have one, but any lightly padded chair of the right height will do.

3. A music stand

Stands are important because they allow the student to maintain good posture while reading the music. Affordable folding stands can be found on Amazon, or better yet at your local music store – ask your teacher for their favorite place to shop. Alternatively, if you have a piano or keyboard at home, the student can practice in front of the piano – it’s not a great option for some instruments, but it works well for horn.

4. Instrument maintenance supplies

For brass players this includes valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush, and a snake. Many rental instruments come with some of these supplies, so check before buying anything to see what you need. Again, a teacher will be happy to recommend their favorite brands, and teach the student how to maintain their instrument.

5. A metronome and tuner

A metronome and tuner are essential to refining musicianship – I use mine daily! There are two basic options available: a stand-alone tuner/metronome, or an app. Each has pros and cons – a stand-alone device is a little more expensive, but it’s easy to use, hard to break, and distraction free! The Korg TM50 is a good basic one. Apps are cheaper, but in order to use one you need to have access to a phone or tablet, as well as plenty of discipline to avoid getting side-traced. I like Tonal Energy Tuner, but there are others as well.

6. A notebook and pencil

These two simple items will take you far in your musical career. Many teachers require their students to have a notebook, which usually contains notes from the week’s lesson, and a practice log for students. Just like in any other subject, a music lessons notebook allows student and teacher to communicate smoothly, and stay organized. A pencil is essential, particularly for ensemble playing. Musicians are expected to mark their parts with any instructions from the conductor, as well as correct mistakes in their private practice.

With these items in hand, and good attitude, students will be well on their way to a great year. Happy practicing!

Sign your child up to join me, and many other wonderful faculty at Winchester Community Music School for five afternoons of musical fun!

Designed for students entering grades 4 through 7 next fall, this program is a great opportunity to try a variety of woodwind and brass instruments, letting your child find the one that suits them best. It’s an excellent introduction for those who want to join band next fall! Instruments are provided, and financial aid is available. You can register here, or contact me if you have any questions.

As the days get longer, and (hypothetically) warmer, opportunities for musical growth have also arrived. If you and/or your child are looking for an extra-curricular ensemble for next fall, now is the time to sign up. Here is a list of opportunities available in the Greater Boston area:

Note that auditions for the different types of ensembles are scheduled separately. Chamber music is also available either separately, or in addition to large ensembles.

Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

BPYO is for students ages 12 to 21 (with an emphasis on high school and above for the winds and brass). It is a tuition-free ensemble, with rehearsals on Saturdays in the downtown area near Symphony Hall and NEC.

Registration begins in March, with auditions taking place in mid-May (except for Brass Ensemble, which auditions in September). The requirements are:

Two contrasting pieces or movements of the highest level that showcase musical and technical abilities

WCMS offers an excellent chamber music program for students of all ages. Rehearsal dates and times are arranged according to the schedules of participants and coaches, and are held at the music school.

Placement auditions are generally held in the spring and fall. The requirements are:

Though it’s hard to believe, summer is right around the corner! June through August is the perfect time for students to expand their musical horizons. It can be challenging to practice by yourself for three months – participating in a summer program helps to keep students motivated, while enjoying all the good things summer has to offer! Listed below are a variety of opportunities across MA and New England for students in middle school and high school. There are many more programs located across the country, and abroad – more resources are listed below the table.

For my students, September means back to school, lessons, and a brand new schedule. Finding the time to practice can be challenging for everyone (myself included!), and though the quantity of our practice matters, the quality is even more important. So how do we set ourselves up for success?

The picture above is from my practice space – it’s in an unfinished basement, but it has the perfect corner that I’ve personalized. Having a dedicated place to practice keeps me motivated and focused. It inspires me, even when I might not feel like practicing in that moment. I’ve displayed thank you cards from students, running medals – anything that cheers me up, and makes my practice space a desirable destination.

Even if it’s not an entire room, having a dedicated practice space helps to focus our mental energy on creativity, and music-making. It’s also a great way to invest directly in our own success, and works for everyone from youngest beginners through adults.

I’m excited to be on faculty for the WCMS inaugural summer festival for brass and winds! A week-long program designed for students ages 9-12, there are two levels available: beginner/1 year of experience, and two years of experience or more. It’s a great opportunity to try a new instrument, or build existing skills. On Tuesday June 28th I’ll be giving a presentation all about the horn, and breathing – don’t miss out!

I’ve been approached by several students and parents this spring asking about extra-curricular ensemble opportunities. In Greater Boston we’re lucky to have an abundance of programs for intermediate to advanced students, and while this is not a comprehensive list, here a few of the highlights:

MMEA Festival Ensembles

The Massachusetts Music Educators Association runs three sets of 3 day festivals every year – Junior Districts, Senior Districts, and All-State. Students audition for placement into these honors ensembles based on their grade, and where they live. The state is broken down into 5 different districts; for example, students in Wellesley are in the Eastern District, and students in Winchester are in the Northeastern District. Junior Districts are for students in grades 7-9, and Senior Districts are for grades 9-12. If a Senior District student receives a score above a certain threshold, they are eligible to audition for All-State.

Senior District Auditions take place in mid-November, with the festival in mid-January. All-State Auditions are held in the third week of January, with the festival in mid-March. Junior District Auditions take place in late January, with the festival in late March.

Audition requirements vary according to district and level, and are released several months before the auditions:

All-State participants can also be considered for All-Eastern and All-National ensembles, run by the National Association for Music Educators. In addition to any audition materials, students must be recommended by their band or orchestra teacher to be considered.

WCMS offers an excellent chamber music program for students of all ages. Rehearsal dates and times are arranged according to the schedules of participants and coaches, and are held at the music school.

Placement auditions are generally held in the spring and fall. The requirements are: